Can they make a run?

[Kingdom_of_Zito]

At 50-46, the rangers find themselves in a position they've been in before: typically bad pitching (last in nearly all pitching categories except saves), but with typically great offense (first in nearly all hitting categories except steals). Oakland recently traded Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin away, and there's no reason think they'd stop there if someone ponied up for Huston Street and the like. Anaheim hasn't made a move yet, their offense has been underwhelming but they have had great pitching from Santana, Saunders, Lackey, and the pen- which is a huge advantage over the rangers. So do the rangers sneak by a trade to help the pitching, at this rate, 7.5 back in the division and that offense isn't something to be messed with.

We all know Josh Hamilton, and his Q rating just shot sky high after the huge homerun derby performance. But it's not just him.


2B Ian Kinsler- .337 avg, .548 slugging, 23/24 steals, 84 runs scored, 14 homeruns, 58 rbi (the lead off man is essentially doing what a lead off man does, score runs, while also doing what 3 and 4 hitters do, hit homeruns and drive in runs, amazing)

SS Michael Young- .302 avg, 118 hits, 52 rbi (and that's sort of a down year for Young)

OF/DH Milton Bradley- .316 avg, 1.046 ops, 19 homeruns (the banner year for the sometimes out spoken Bradley has a higher obp than Kinsler and a higher slugging than Hamilton)

OF Josh Hamilton- .310 avg, 21 homeruns, 95 rbi, .919 ops, 7/7 steals (popular pick for MVP)

OF David Murphy- 13 homeruns, 24 doubles, 60 rbi (one of those "pieces" they got for Gagne, is second on the team in RBI and doubles)

SS/3B Ramon Vazquez- .310 avg, .382 obp, .472 slugging (journeyman infielder has stepped up and filled in admirably for Blalock)

What's missing? Gerald Laird, who was hitting over .300 and Hank Block, who is a former all star (who's done some good things in the all star game). They've trotted out some younger guys with varying degrees of success- Saltamalacchia has shown flashes of his potential, but is striking out way too much right now, and Chris Davis is a very very big boy who has 6 homeruns in just 17 games.

Pitching on the other hand, Padilla, Millwood, Gabbard, Feldman all have over 4.50 eras. Their closer, CJ Wilson, has a 5.01 ERA. But hey, Eddie Guardado has 19 holds and a 2.88 ERA!

[Molina00]

I don't think they can overtake the Angels because it takes pitching to win ballgames, and the Rangers have a little bit but not near enough. If the Rangers are dead-set on winning the division this year then they need to make some moves to bring in pitching. The only problem there is that it will likely cost them some good, young talent and bringing in new pitchers to Texas is risky business. I can't help but think of who they have brought in already, Park/Millwood/McCarthy/Eaton/Padilla, those are the big name ones that come to mind. Padilla is the only one that has worked out remotely well. He has been pitching solid all year, it's just his last 2 starts that have rocketed his ERA up to 4.70. He was still 10-3 with a 3.70'ish ERA as of June 22nd. A little more pitching upside, Frankie Francisco is also having a fine season sporting a 3.58 ERA and has 45 K's in 37+ innings. You already mentioned Guardado.

On a side note, Chan Ho Park has a 2.63 era this year. Eaton is still bad though, so that's some consolation.

The Rangers are closer in the wild card race right now trailing Tampa Bay by 6 games. Of course they will have to deal with getting past one of either Boston or New York when it comes down to it.